Malaysia, Australia armies sharpen warfare skills in Exercise Haringaroo

SUNGAI BULOH: The Malaysian and Australian armies have kicked off Exercise Haringaroo to sharpen interoperability across conventional and non-conventional warfare between the two nations.

11th Malaysian Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier General Datuk Safwan @ Asri Ismail said the bilateral exercise provides a platform to exchange knowledge, experience, and operational procedures while developing a better understanding of each other's capabilities.

"Interoperability cannot be achieved within a short period. It needs to be developed and nurtured through training, understanding, and integration.

"The exercise, now in its 76th iteration, reflects the longstanding relationship between Malaysia and Australia, through which cooperation, defence understanding, and the sharing of training techniques and procedures have been further enhanced.

"Should there be a need for joint operations between the two countries in the future, these are the capabilities and competencies we are developing to support their execution," he said.

Safwan said this year's exercise also included training in operations in built-up areas (OBUA), alongside conventional warfare, supported by Cross Training Exercise and Field Training Exercise activities.

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"This is the first time the exercise has included training focused on warfare in built-up areas.

"I see this as an excellent platform for training the officers and personnel involved in this exercise to share knowledge and learn techniques and procedures from the Australian contingent, particularly in the area of operations in built-up areas," he said.

Exercise Haringaroo is being held from today to Sept 28 at Sungai Buloh Camp and selected training areas in Selangor.

It involves army units from the 4th, 8th, and 25th Royal Malay Regiments, alongside Rifle Company Butterworth representing the Australian Army.

A total of 81 officers and 763 non-commissioned officers are participating in the exercise.